14 January 2012

Sepia Saturday 108: Shall We Dance

"The way you wear your hat, The way you sip your tea, The mem'ry of all that No, no! They can't take that away from me!" - George and Ira Gershwin, Shall We Dance

Kathryn Agnes (Mahoney) Dick (1887-1985), photo 14 June 1917

Kathryn Mahoney and Walter Dick surely danced at their wedding and created many musical memories in their 59 years of marriage. Kathryn Agnes (Mahoney) Dick (1887-1985) is shown here in her wedding dress and hat in 1917.

Though Kathryn worked as a teacher prior to her marriage, she also played violin in local orchestras. It was at one of these musical events where she met her future husband, Walter Augustine Dick (1888-1976). Walter had aspired to become a professional flutist but like many musicians had a 'daytime' job as well. A talented builder and contractor, Walter gifted his bride with fine furniture made by his own hand and in later years, a hand-made violin.

"As the bridal party entered the church, Prof. Thomas F. Leonard played Mendelsshon's wedding march. At the offertory Herbert Proctor rendered the 'Ave Maria' and as the bridal party left the church, the wedding march from Lohengrin was played on the organ." - Newspaper Clipping in Mahoney History and Genealogy

Their daughter, Norma (Dick) Filios, wrote "Their children remember going to bed and listening to their music. As the children grew, one by one they played an instrument and joined their parents. Eventually, they had their own family orchestra."

The tradition has continued with many talented musicians, woodworkers and artisans amongst Kathryn and Walter's descendants. The family history is preserved in the Mahoney History and Genealogy written by Norma (Dick) Filios. Norma researched the family ancestry from Kathryn's grandfather, John Mahoney (1818-1904) through six generations.

"Leave everyone wondering which is the more interesting piece of work...you or your hat." - Unknown. I tip my hat to Auntie Norma and leave you to find more hats and memories at Sepia Saturday 108.

The version of 'Ave Maria' included here was found on Wikipedia and has a creative commons license for reuse. 'Ave Maria' was written by composer Charles Gounod by superimposing the melody over Bach's 'Prelude No. 1 in C major, MWV 846' - a mash up! The performer is John Michel, a cello professor at Central Washington University. I have been wanting to post about the Mahoneys and Dicks and can think of no more fitting tribute than a musical one.

Wonderful piece Liz. That photo is lovely and the hat is beautiful. I would have been happy to have been married in one like that in 1975; in fact one of my frinds was come to think of it, and how different it was from the norm. What a talented family they all sound.

Liz,You definitely succeeded. I love the Ave Maria, particularly since it was a cello piece. I used to play the cello in high school and don't think there is a better instrument for rich, lush tone. Beautiful!

I love the pic, too, and may have to try to put something on Sepia Saturday.

I think I like her hat the best of any I've seen so far on this sepia hat day. And the music goes with it wonderfully. I like to think about all the children joining their parents one by one until they had a family orchestra.

I love the transparency of her hat, and how loosely the roses are tied together. Very romantic. Nice that you had the musical program of the ceremony. Gives us a better notion of the event. And adding the music is a nice touch.

I haven't found a Stratton connection to Ireland yet. The Mahoneys were from Co. Cork. I'm thoroughly enjoying learning Irish research with this family. I've other Irish families but none from Co. Down.